BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) accused the New People’s Army (NPA) of being behind the ambush that killed two soldiers from the 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) in Sitio Camboguiot, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Thursday morning, Nov. 24.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, condemned the NPA for the deaths of intelligence operatives Staff Sergeant Ken Camilan and Sergeant Regie Glindro.
The two soldiers were heading to Barangay Camindangan proper to coordinate with local officials for the upcoming local peace engagement with the populace involving former mass supporters of the NPA.
Arevalo believe the NPA unit behind the attack was the South West Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor.
The ambush was viewed as a retaliation by the NPA which suffered serious setbacks in the past few months, such as the death of Romeo Nanta a.k.a. “Juanito Magbanua” in Himamaylan City back in October.
“They are not in combat operations and in civilian clothes, and their only intent was for the good of the people through local peace engagement,” Arevalo said about the two slain soldiers.
He accused the NPA of being a human rights violator and vowed that the ultimate sacrifice of the two soldiers would not be in vain.
“These soldiers risked their lives to protect and bring peace to the people of Negros. We honor the heroism and sacrifices of our fallen comrades, and we will ensure that justice will be served,” said Arevalo./PN
